“The disaster in Pakistan is bigger than the Tsunami, Haiti and Kashmere earthquake put together!” James Caan (Dragon’s Den and British Pakistan Foundation.) Maybe it’s been the limited coverage on BBC, ITV, SKY and other news reports but the recent disaster in Pakistan has not seen anything like the response for aid we have known in the past. While blood diamonds, school diners, house prices and pensions all seem to get priority news this is my wee shout to the world... THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN NEED YOUR HELP. The rains show no sign of letting up and there are now 14 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLACED. Children have spent days on the tops of trees and houses escaping the floods but they have no food or clean water. They survived the floods but will die hungry. Villages have lost their crops, livestock and homes. Over 500 schools have been destroyed as well as bridges, government buildings and hospitals. While the death toll to date has yet to be confirmed to be above 2,000 this will reach tens of thousands in the news few weeks unless people like you and I respond faster. Disease and malnutrition is now the biggest threat to life. Pakistan government have said the floods have set the country back decades! How can we help? For the Pakistan earthquake appeal in 2005 we raised £6 billion pounds. To date (10th August) the flood appeal has raised just £6 million. £6 million has been raised in the U.K to date, this is not enough – we all need to up our giving. • Visit Unicef website http://www.unicef.org.uk and Support their appeal for children affected by floods in Pakistan a donation of just £30 could provide vaccinations helping to protect more than 45 children against killer diseases. • Ask you local church what they are giving to this tragedy- suggest the take up a special offering for Pakistan • Ask your football/cycling/rugby club, local pub, shop to support the appeal.
The bible says the true test of our faith is how we respond to the needs of widows and orphans... lets express our faith with action and donate now. http://www.unicef.org.uk
Closer to your Calling Below is the outline of the talk at the last night of Hillsborough Bible Week 2010.
Let me take you back just over 3000 years... to a time when China began flying kites, the Greeks discovered Yo Yo’s and the world population is the same as the population of England today – approx 50 million. (Just a thought – if the world population 3000 years ago were all English they still would not have won the World Cup!)
Its 1000B.C and Israel is in a mess; a moral snake pit of corruption across its political and religious status. The word of the Lord is rare in those days and out of this context Samuel is born to Hannah.
Read/ Paraphrase following verses: 1 Sam 2: 18 -21 and 1 Sam 3 v 1 -11 ******* ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ That’s a good question to ask ourselves! By growing up I am referring not so much to age but more to do with our maturity in God. Samuel was just three years old when he began to minister before the Lord and it’s about ten years after this that God calls to him.
I believe that there are three occasions when the Lord calls us:
1, The bible says that God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2:4) – this is the first calling. A call to Salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus.
2, Then there is the calling to ministry. The bible says that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the prophet of all.(1 Cor 12: 7) God has not called us to be just a bum on a pew. My Pastor often says – 'every member is to be a minister!' 3, Then there is the calling home – (Revelations 20) the names of those who will enter heaven are recorded in the book of life. As the old song declares 'When the role is called up yonder I’ll be there.'
This talk will focus primarily on that second calling. The call to serve God. Three points I want to draw out from the Text:
1, Samuel prepared 2, Samuel Heard 3, Samuel Shared
1, Samuel prepared:
How do we prepare for the calling upon our lives? Samuel prepared by committing himself to the ministry within Gods house. We need to be a people committed to the local Church. Thirty years ago it was a big deal for someone to switch from one church to another – but today it happens all too often. People no longer commit to the local church. They ‘hover’ until the buzz goes or the preacher has a bad day and they are off. They move because the worship band is better down the road or there is a bigger youth fellowship. People date church; they go until they are bored and then move on. God is looking for people who will commit to the Local church and love the family of God. Samuel showed obedience to leadership. For ten years he serves Eli the priest faithfully. That is evident by the text and also the bond that developed between them. Let’s be a people who offer our time and energy to the local church leadership.
Samuel dreamed big dreams. Samuel would eventually become the Prophet over Israel, Judge and director of affairs and Chief advisor to the King. But as a boy I have no doubt he dreamed of God using him in a special way. From three years of age he wore the clothing of a priest, very cute but very poignant. He knew what he want to become and God did more than the lad could ever imagine!
2, Samuel heard: How d you hear God? First you need to be in close proximity! The place of prayer is the place to surrender to his presence; it’s a place to talk to God, listen to God but also just to surrender and sit. You need to block out the distractions. There are many things that will call upon a man’s heart but only one is worth giving you life to. Don’t become distracted by other things. Most people miss Gods calling because they are easily distracted. When you feel you have heard from God; check it with the Bible and with those who you serve in leadership. God will never call us to a work they contradicts scripture. Also the wisdom and council of Godly men and women can help steer us in the right direction and advise us. Samuel was directed by Eli to say ‘Speak Lord, your servant hears!’ that’s a good position to take before God - That of a servant.
Also note that the voice of God to Samuel is like that of a father and a priest, that’s why Samuel thought it was Eli calling him.
3, Samuel shared:
Matt 28:19 say for us to go and make disciples. Luke 24:49 says to wait in Jerusalem? One says go the other says wait! Why? There is a difference in being ‘sent’ and ‘went.’ In the bible; Some people went but were never sent. Some people are sent but never went. God want us to do both. To wait until He calls us and then to GO. Samuel brought a hard message for much of his life but he never shrank back from his prophetic ministry and calling and when to time was right he was willing to pass on the baton.
Conclusion: God has called every Christian to some means of service, that’s a great honour and I pray we can all take a few lessons from Samuel to find out what that is. These lessons will also help us to remain in Gods calling.
Mitch.
Saturday 15 May 2010
Today’s man
This is the outline for talk given at Ulster Temple on 15th May 2010.
The three points: Today’s man need to be better:
Lovers Labourers Leaders
Lovers
‘Our Father who art in heaven’ Matthew Chapter 6 verse 9
This is an important verse to me for two reasons:
1, It was the first verse of Scripture I every learned at home. My dad began teaching me the Lord’s Prayer at bed time when I was perhaps 8 years old. He wasn’t a Christian at the time but it was the ‘Protestant’ thing to do… teach your kid the Lord’s Prayer and send him to Sunday school every week.
2, It was a very controversial prayer in the day Jesus said it as He was introducing God in a new way to the Jew’s. They had always emphasised the holiness and fear of God and now Jesus was introducing something new… He was saying “call him Daddy”. Not that we don’t fear Him but this was something new and challenging to the culture of the day. This verse introduced me into a relationship with God I didn’t know you could have. Jesus was calling us to an intimate and loving relationship with God.
Many men have lost that idea of a loving relationship today, we have a messed up view of love and this effects how we love others, love God and appreciate His love for us. This love that comes from a heavenly father is unlike anything that the world can offer, it’s not egoistic and self centred and it’s unconditional. We may not have all had brilliant fathers but I hope we can appreciate what Jesus is saying. To call Him Daddy we need to surrender to His presence and embrace His love.
Man today need to become better lovers.
Labourers
Read Proverbs 6 v 6-11 and Chapter 24 v 30 – 34
Here you will read the story of the sluggard. One dictionary today translates the word sluggard as ‘an inactive man who watches a lot of television’. Or in my words: A lazy couch potato. The U.K today is filled with lazy couch potato men.
T.V marketing body thinkbox last week released the statistics for this years T.V viewing figures for the first quarter of 2010. Up 8% on last year the average British viewer now watches 30 hours and 4 mins of T.V per week! That’s lazy… very lazy. More shocking is the fact that 18 hours and 29 mins of this time are commercials! Men today are becoming like the sluggard in Proverbs Chapter 24. Their business, church, family life and economy suffer because many men can get their hands out of their pockets and away from the remote control. Men need to be labourers, workers. We need to be working in our churches; working to support the needs of our world and in working we become positive role models for our children. It’s not just about money. The bible says a slack hand tends towards poverty.
Leaders
In Numbers 14: 7-18 Joshua had a good report but he wasn’t a good leader! He had no influence and people didn’t follow him. Many men have great ideas and opinions, often God given, but they have no influence. If we can’t take people with us on the Journey we fail as leaders. When a leader has little influence little will be accomplished. Let’s be men of integrity and influence.
Joshua would eventually become a great leader and man of influence. In Joshua 24 14-18 he does lead the people into the Promised Land with these words “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua learned to be a leader by serving Moses but also by leading at home. “As for me and my house”. Before we can become successful leaders in our church and community we need to become successful leaders at home.
When a leader puts his family first the church benefits. When a leader puts the church first, then his family and church will suffer.
Today’s generation are crying out for leaders… young people are coming out of School, College and University and they still have no idea what to do with their lives; why? They need leaders to follow, to motivate them and take them forward.
Conclusion:
What kind of man will you be today?
Let’s intentionally be men who learn the art of love, who work for His glory and lead by example. Go on take up the challenge. Today people often make an L shape with our hands (index finger pointing up and thumb at right angle to it) as a symbol of a looser. Tomorrow in church challenge the men to put an L shape up as a declaration that we choose to be Lovers, Labourers and Leaders.
Hello peeps, this little blog is simply a response to the picture seen on the left.
As the 'Special One' arrived back in Milan the response at the airport was breathtaking! After a victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final the reaction of fans was one of worship. It is almost 40 years since Inter Milan was in the European Cup final and Jose had led his team in a defensive master class. Well done Inter Milan, well done Jose.
The words of Pilate as Jesus stood before the crowd seemed very appropriate for the above picture...'Behold the man.'(John 19:5)
Pilate's declaration as he presented Jesus wearing a crown of thorns and purple robe to the crowd was miscalculated at best. For Jesus was much more than a man, Jesus was both man and God, the mystery of the incarnation is perhaps seem best at this moment before His death. Fully God, yet surrendering His divine power and authority.
Jose Mourinho on the other hand is not divine. Jose Mourinho isn't Jesus, he isn't perfect and a 'touch of the hem of his garment' will not bring with it any special blessing. Of course he does not claim to be Jesus, however to adoring fans the self proclaimed 'Special One' walks a very fine line. The scenes of worship in the airport are the response of an emotional night of football but in the cool light of day, Jose and all his fans must plant their feet firmly on the ground. He is a man.
The passion of football fans the world over will be seen in the coming months in South Africa during the World Cup. Young and old will be glued to television screens wearing the colour of their favourite team. Let's all enjoy it but don't get carried away... No player or manager is perfect and there are much more important things that deserve our attention and worship.
A lack of leaders is found in our society everywhere. The outline below is taken from a leaders talk at Newtownbreda Baptist (12th April 2010) and is part one of a six session study on leadership…
Introduction: Read 2 Samuel Chapter 9 verse 1-13
Background to story… this is a brutal time in the History of Israel some 3,000 years ago. Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle and it was customary in those days to seek out and destroy any remaining family members. Jonathan had a son called Mephibosheth and during the battles a nurse had fled carrying him in her arms and dropped him (2 Sam 4:4). As a result of the fall he was now crippled in both feet. He lived in Lo Debar, a barren place. Geographically it describes the condition of his life… physically, mentally and emotionally.
1, as leaders we need to be people of integrity, people of the covenant and people who keep our word. For some reason David remembered the covenant he had made with Jonathan and he acts on it (verse 1). What promises have we made? Are there things that we said we would do that have been left undone? Integrity is about honesty and wholeness; it involves completing those things we said we would do. Let’s not be leaders with empty words… I am sure we can all think of disappointments when a leader has not kept his/her word… make it our goal to a leader of principal.
2, as leaders we need to be people who are willing to connect with, bless and restore those who are not our type. Ziba the servant is quick to point out that Mephibosheth is crippled in both feet (verse 3). Notice David did not ask his condition, but Ziba felt it important to mention, perhaps hinting that Ziba was not the right kind of person to have around the Royal palace. However, David a man of grace, a man after God’s own heart is willing to bless and welcome in those who are different.
Leaders too often invest and connect with only those who are like-minded. The result is that the expression of their leadership is two dimensional and bias towards a particular persona. Let me give an example… At our summer camp if the sporty leaders only connect with the sporty kids where does that leave the others? How does the non-sporty kid feel? If our leadership only invests in those who are ‘our type’ we are missing the beauty and power of diversity. Just look at Jesus disciples and those who were members of the early church!
Let’s look for people to bless, people who are not necessarily our type. Watch out for those who feel isolated, or ‘left out’. Thanks God that His love is for all people ‘Red and yellow, black and white…’
3, as leaders we need to be people who intentionally bring people to the Kings table.
David not only blesses Mephibosheth but he gives him a seat at the kings table like one of his sons. (Verse 11). Once Mephibosheth is sitting at the table his brokenness is covered, from the waist up he is just like everyone else. We need to be leaders who not only have integrity and show blessing to others but we must seek to bring them to the Kings table; in other words, seeking opportunities to bring people into a relationship with Jesus. Mephibosheth seen himself as a dead dog but he found value at the kings table; likewise it is in a relationship with Jesus that we find our value.
We can be great role models and good life coaches but we will never be great leaders unless we are leading them to the Kings table.
Read the Easter story from the Gospel of John (Chapter 19: verse 1 - 30 )
The Easter message of Jesus has three basic ingredients: The Cross The Tomb The Heart of mankind.
On Friday the heart of man was at its worst and most empty; the tomb had yet to play the leading role and was therefore empty. But the cross was full.
1, The cross was full of love - 2 Cor 5 :19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. Since God is love, we can see that 'Agape' Love was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. Reconciling. Definition: To restore relationship, to make things right which have been broken. Five times scripture uses this word when speaking of the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. The Cross was full of love as Jesus died to 'make things right which have been broken.' There is no more powerful a symbol of love than the cross. The bible says, greater love has no man than this; than to lay down his life for his friends.
2, The cross was also full of forgiveness - Luke 23:34 Jesus said on the cross 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' If I know nothing else of Jesus but this one prayer - if I know nothing of his teaching but this matchless plea for mercy, I must adore him. Why did Jesus die on the cross? The forgiveness of sin (Is 53:6+7)
Jesus died on a cross to take upon Himself the sins of the world. The heart of man was empty, the tomb was empty but the cross was full.
On Saturday the heart of man is still empty, the cross now stands empty and the tomb is full.
1, The tomb is full of expectation. Jesus said 'Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days so shall the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth' (Matt 12:40) Jesus, referring to himself said he would rebuild the temple in three days. The prophets of old had also spoken of a day of hope and a new beginning... There was great expectation in the tomb.
2, The tomb is full of preparation. This was not the end of Jesus, this was not a time of rest but of preparation. The Spirit of God was moving over the corpse... All of heaven was in that tomb... Sunday's comin'!
On Sunday the cross is empty, praise God the tomb is empty and man's heart can be full.
He has risen! Christ has risen, He no longer dwells in a tomb but the heart of man. Jesus Christ will be in one of two places in your life... He is either knocking the door of your heart, or He is in your heart!
Jesus bring with Him love, forgiveness, expectation and preparation and places them in our hearts.
We can know the love of God - a love that surpasses anything the world can offer. Our value system is no longer based on how the world thinks of us but how we are deeply loved and valued by God. God's love for me defines who I am.
We can know the forgiveness of Jesus - you can be forgiven - your sins cancelled out and a new start in your life because of the cross. Jesus 'paid in full' for every sin.
We can have our hearts filled with expectation - Phil 1:6 says 'He that begun a good work in you is faithful to completion.' God hasn't finished with you yet! That's good news. Today there is joyful expectation in our hearts... what has God got in store for us today?
Our heart should be filled with preparation - this same Jesus who died on a cross is coming again. Next time He will not enter the world in a manger, ride a donkey nor wear a crown of thorns. When Jesus returns he will enter in victory, ride a white horse, and be crowned with many crowns - Rev 19 :11-16. Our hearts should be filled with preparation for that day. Jesus tells a parable in Matt 25 of the wise and foolish virgins. Five of them had made no preparation while the others had their lamps trimmed and oil ready for the coming of the bridegroom.
It's Sunday, the cross is empty, praise God the tomb is empty and my heart is full.
Zechariah had quite a job to do. Having returned from exile the Jews were now back in their homeland and once again distracted from the task at hand. They started with such enthusiasm to rebuild the temple; with great intentions they quickly rebuilt the alter but their old friends ‘Apathy’ and ‘Preoccupation’ were never far away…
Zechariah along with Haggai were God’s prophets for the day, serving up a message of hope that also came will a less palatable message of challenge: Return to the work, complete the task God has given and finish the temple; for the Messiah, the King is coming.
The King is coming, and this is no ordinary king. Zechariah prophesied that He will be a Priest/King, a true shepherd, a Saviour who will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver; He will suffer and be crucified. But this king will also return again!
And how will this king come?
Zechariah Chapter 9 verse 9
Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.
The Jews heeded the message and finally rebuilt the temple and as for the coming King...?
Fast forward four hundred years and all Jerusalem is buzzing as Passover approaches. In the surrounding suburbs stories about Jesus of Nazareth are everywhere; after all it’s not every day that someone shows up healing the sick, casting out demons and challenging the religious establishment of the day.But there is a new story running the grape vine … it’s breaking news, hot off the press and even in Jerusalem it has everyone talking…Lazarus of Bethany is alive.
The story doesn’t seem like big news unless you read yesterday’s obit’s column.You see yesterday he was dead. Yesterday he was in the cave, the body was wrapped up, the funeral was over and the family, although still weeping, are trying to come to terms with their loss.He was dead four days, a smelly corpse by the time Jesus arrived.A hand signal, a prayer, a shout “Come forth,” and Lazarus is not dead anymore he’s alive!
As this news gathers momentum it is in competition for front page with yet another breaking story: Jesus is coming to Jerusalem! Who is he? Some are saying a prophet, but others are saying he is the one spoken of by the prophets like Zechariah; the Messiah, the saviour, the King. After 400 years of silence, could this be the long awaited Son of David? The King promised?Zechariah’s name means ‘The Lord remembers’ and it’s starting to look like he has...
The evangelist Matthew picks up the story:
Matthew Chapter 21 verse 1 – 11
Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:
5“ Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘ Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.
So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Himon them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“ Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘ BlessedisHe who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Hosanna in the highest!”
And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”
Now kings ride horses, or sit on Chariots but here is their king coming on a donkey!
For some it’s a disguise -no point in playing into the hands of the Romans with an obvious display of power.For others He is associating himself with King David who rode a donkey, for others it’s an expression of His humility but as the crowds gather there is no doubt about their expectation:
‘Hosanna’ - a cry taken from a Hebrew word which mean ‘Oh Lord, save us we pray’ becomes a cry of praise and hope as Jesus enters Jerusalem. They lay their coats and palm branches on the floor making a carpet, acknowledging Him as King and when He passes they lift them, run to the front and repeat the same procedure. I suspect Lazarus is among the crown, the king has come, expectations are high.
The wise men called Him King (Matt 2:2); during His public ministry Jesus constantly talk about the kingdom – its nature, dawning, promise and consummation. In some of the parables Jesus sometimes makes Himself out to be the king, how fitting that He receives a King’s welcome into Jerusalem...
_________________________________
What a difference six days makes. Rejected, betrayed and terribly alone He is handed over by some of the very people who welcomed him into the city. At his trial before Pilate the governor asks Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“Yes it is as you say.”Jesus replies.
That one confession sentences him to death, Jesus stands condemned on the charge of treason.
From a triumphant entry Jesus is now the subject of a barrack-room humour. Covered in spit, his flesh torn to pieces, the governor’s soldiers gather round, strip him of his clothes, put a robe on him and mock. Pretending He is a royal figure they make a crown of vine thorns and place it on his head, the long spikes cutting into his fragile skin. Then they put a staff in his right hand pretending it to be a sceptre. The banter is sickening, bowing before him they cry ‘Hail, king of the Jews’ while others strike him over the head with the sceptre. The mocking and laughter keeps going until they tire of their sport. Now they put his clothes back on him and lead him away to be crucified. (Matthew 27:27-31)
‘The King of the Jews’ it said above the cross, but He was more than that. He died on the cross but he also reigned on it! In John 18:36 Jesus said his “Kingdom is not of this world” The one who rides the donkey is literally - Out of this world!
Now we have had many kings in the world and even some claiming to be king of the world. At 22 years of age a young man’s cry became one of the most famous scenes in sporting history: “I'm the king of the world, I am the greatest, I shook up the world, I am the greatest, I'm king of the world, I'm pretty, and I’m so pretty.” Not many have been as arrogant as Muhammad Ali; Jack Dawson screamed it into the air in the movie Titanic but it takes more than a hint of arrogance when you claim that your kingdom is ‘out of this world’!
The Easter message, from His entry on a donkey to the empty tomb bears such significance to each of us because Jesus Kingdom is much greater, more powerful and significant than any kingdom the world has ever known. Some gathering in Jerusalem asked “who is this?” (Matt 21:10) He is the King of Kings and Lord over all and because of this there is a hope, faith, power and love found in Jesus which makes all others superficial in comparison. He is not just a good king but a God-King.
Because Jesus, the God- King died for the sins of the world and rose again you and I don’t have to live the old way anymore! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says ‘If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’ We have a new citizenship! When you commit you life to Christ you become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. You have a new relationship as you are adopted into the family of the God - King (Eph 5:1), you become part of a royal family in the Church (Gal 6:10), you have a new purpose (Eph 2:10), a new power (1 Cor 6:19) and a new destiny. Eternity with the King (Rom 6:23)
Zechariah declared that this King on a donkey would bring Salvation. No other king, ruler, teacher of God can provide the salvation that Jesus offers, for He is the King over sin. If every evil word, wicked thought, selfish act I have every committed is placed on the ‘scales of justice’ the weight of such would find me guilty 1,000,000 times over. Any acts of charity or kindness placed on the scales to bring balance would be like putting a flea up against a battleship. I am guilty. But Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, (1 Tim 1:15) ordinary people like you and I.The King took our place and paid the punishment you and I deserved when He died on the cross. He took you sin and my sin, paid it in full so they you and I can be free. Like I said; He didn’t just die on the cross; He reigned on the cross, victorious over sin, death and hell.
This Palm Sunday, as we sing Hosanna remember the God-King.
Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Zion!
Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
He is just and having salvation,
Lowly and riding on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.
In Luke’s account of Jesus Triumphal entry we read this:
Chapter 19 v 38 – 40
“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
Today as we celebrate, let’s make sure no rocks sing louder than us! Rejoice greatly, Rejoice!
Swathed in a million colours of light Jesus steps from His throne, wraps Himself in skin and enters a dark wet womb. He becomes one of us; a man, yet He is more than a man...
As a child He cries for His milk and falls as He takes His first steps. As a teenager He learns the trade of His surrogate father by making furniture while living out the Jewish culture that surrounds Him. At 13 years of age He stands before the assembly at Barmitzvah and says 'Today I am a man.' Yet He is more than a man...
Showered with spit and dragged from pillar to post as His accusers demanded death, and finally, after six trials, a cowardly judge offers Him over to the angry crowd saying "behold the man", yet He is more than a man...
His beard is ripped from His face, His flesh resembles a ploughed field after the relentless lashings of a whip, His skull is swollen, bruised and cut from the crown of thorns; soon the suffering will stop. For six hours one Friday Jesus is on a cross. His blood soaked skin is now exposed to the elements as He breaths His last and cries out "Father forgive them." This is more than a cry from a Godly man this is the cry of the God-man. He is more than a man, this is God on a cross.
Three days later the brooding presence of the Spirit moves over clammy grey skin of a corpse as angels gather around to watch the dawn of a 'new day'. A heart beat, a pulse, a rush of air into dry lungs as shades of pink return . He stands to His feet and as He walks out into the sunshine as all of heaven erupts to the praise of His Glory; He has risen.
Satan crouches Gollum-like in the shadow of the trees [he knows what's happenings, and Smeagoldoesn'tlikes it!]. Satan came with his best punch and this defeat has him running like a scared cat.
Death has lost it's sting, salvation has come and Jesus is Lord.
Jesus the man that can't save himself saves others...
Drag yourself to a good bible-believing church this Easter; there is so much more to the Easter story than you realise. Take a few moments to reflect on the God-man Jesus Christ. No army, nation or person has changed the course of history like Jesus. He is the most famous person in history, even the very date on your newspaper points to his existence. More has been written about him, sung about him and painted depicting him than anyone else.
He is more than a man, He is God and He is as close as the mention of His name.
